Today’s Gospel reading highlights the fledgling yet already unshakeable faith of a pagan woman who pleads for mercy for her daughter, who is tormented by a demon.

Francis of Assisi, a prophet of God who stood apart from the official institutional world, also performed marvellous deeds in this regard.

The Poor Man, champion of faith in Christ, performed healings through the power of the Spirit of God, both in life and in death.

His life of faith inspired many people who, benefiting from his witness, were healed of ailments and demonic possessions.

In this regard, the Sources provide us with various accounts:

“There lived in Foligno a man named Pietro. Setting out on a journey to visit the shrine of St Michael the Archangel […] he came to a spring; tired and thirsty, he began to drink the water; and it seemed to him as though he had swallowed demons. And indeed, from that very moment he remained possessed for three years, saying and doing horrendous things.

He made his way to the tomb of the most holy Father Francis, and arrived there still tormented by the demons, who were more furious with him than ever; as soon as he touched the tomb, he was, by an evident and clear miracle, completely and forever set free” (FF 554).

And again, Celano, in the First Life, recounts the faith of a child healed by Francis:

“Matteo, a child from Todi, had been lying in bed for eight days, more dead than alive: his mouth tightly shut, his eyes closed, his face, hands and feet blackened like a cauldron on the fire. Everyone thought there was no hope left.

One day, his mother prostrated herself in prayer, invoking the name and help of Francis.

When she rose, the child began to open his eyes, to see and to suckle milk. Shortly afterwards, as that black skin fell away, his flesh returned to its normal colour and he regained his strength and health.

As soon as she saw that he was out of danger, his mother asked him: «Who healed you, my son?».

The boy stammered in reply: «Ciccu, Ciccu».

They asked him again: «To whom do you owe this grace?». And the child replied: «Ciccu, Ciccu!» – thus shortening Francis’s name by half, for he was still very young and unable to speak properly” (FF 556).

The little ones, young in years but also in heart, obtain through faith what adults do not even know how to ask for or desire.

A firm faith is the object of Jesus’ admiration; he acts in accordance with the desire of those who live it, bringing forth new creatures.

«Woman, great [is] your Faith! Let it be done for you as you wish» (Mt 15:28)

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A  (Mt 15:21–28)

The Lucan Gospel highlights Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth and the dance of the two Little Ones carried by special women, embraced in different ways by Grace.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, expresses herself in the song of praise of the Magnificat, which refers back to God the extraordinary benefits received.

From the very beginning of his calling, Francis had a special and profound veneration for the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Lord.

Of her he always contemplated the mysteries in the various seasons of his life.

The Sources provide wonderful pictures in this regard.

"He surrounded the Mother of Jesus with an unspeakable love, because she had made our brother the Lord of majesty.

To his honour he sang special praises, raised prayers, offered affections so many and such that human tongue could not express them.

But what fills one most with joy, he made her the Advocate of the Order and placed her children under her wings [...] so that they might find warmth and protection there to the end" (FF 786).

"In her, above all, after Christ, he placed his trust [...] In her honour he fasted with great devotion, from the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul until the feast of the Assumption [...]" (FF 1165).

And to his daughters, dwelling at St Damian, Francis in a composition dedicated to them, concludes by saying:

«Those who are aggravated by infirmity/ and the others who for their part are fatigued/ all of them be sustained in peace,/ for you will sell this toil dearly,/ and each one will be queen/ in heaven crowned with the Virgin Mary» (FF 263).

And Clare, when she began her journey of faith following Francis, was received by him and his friars at the altar of the Blessed Virgin at the Portiuncula. Moreover, that same Mother, at the moment of her passing, came to take her, appearing to her by her bed.

Mary was for Clare a model to follow throughout her life, so much so that in the Letter of Introduction to the Legend, in the Sources, we read:

"Let men therefore follow the new followers of the Incarnate Word: let the women imitate Clare, the imprint of the Mother of God, the new guide of women" (FF 3153).

Francis and Clare assumed Mary, the Mother of God, into their daily lives to be assumed by Christ into heavenly glory.

«My soul magnifies the Lord [...] for he has looked upon the lowliness of his servant. For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed» (Lk 1:46, 48a)

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (Lk 1:39-56)

Jesus points out to the eyes of the Pharisees who want to frame him, the fontal goodness of marriage, but also the value of a life given directly to the Lord and which therefore becomes «eunuch» for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Looking in the Franciscan Sources, we note that the Poor Man of Assisi esteemed marriage, in the Christian life, as a place of witness to God's springing love for man and woman, knowing how to welcome and await the times of Providence in every situation.

In the Sources, it is narrated that a noblewoman once came to him to ask the saint for a remedy against a very bad husband, who was hindering her in the service of Christ.

"After listening to her, he said to her: «Go in peace and be assured that you will soon have from your man the consolation you desire».

And he added: «You will tell him from God and from me that now is the time for mercy, then for justice».

Having received the blessing, the woman returns, finds her husband and tells him those words.

The Holy Spirit descends upon him, transforming him into a new man, thus inducing him to respond with all meekness:

«Madam, let us serve the Lord and save our souls».

At the urging of his holy wife, they led a celibate life for several years, until they both returned to the Lord on the same day" (FF 1193 - Major Legend).

But for those who, like Francis and Clare of Assisi, follow their call to become disciples in poverty following Christ [eunuchs for the Kingdom of God] life unfolds differently.

We read about St Clare:

"When therefore she began to feel the first stirrings of holy love, she considered the perishable and false flower of worldliness despicable, instructed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit to attribute little value to things that have little value.

And indeed beneath her precious and soft garments she wore a small cilice concealedly, appearing outwardly adorned for the world, but inwardly clothed in Christ.

Finally, wanting her parents to marry her nobly, they did not consent in any way: but, pretending to want to postpone the earthly wedding until later, she entrusted her virginity to the Lord" (FF 3160).

Francis and Clare attest to us with facts how important it is to respond and live well the specific and unrepeatable call, addressed to each one.

«What God has joined together, let no man put asunder [...] And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven» (Mt 19,6b.12b)

Friday of the 19th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 19,3-12)

This passage from Matthew refers to forgiveness and to a form of correction which, if truly fraternal, does not look down on others, but quite the opposite.

Without forgetting that, just as we wish to be forgiven, we are called to do the same for our neighbour, giving them time to make amends.

Clare of Assisi loved to describe herself as «a little plant of the Seraphic Father Francis».

She was always a caring Mother and a great example to her daughters and sisters in the Monastery of St Damian.

Even when it was necessary to exhort or reprimand, she knew how to correct with the love and wisdom that came to her from on High.

The Sources attest (Rule of St Clare):

«The abbess shall admonish and visit her sisters and correct them with humility and charity, commanding them nothing that is contrary to their soul or to the form of our profession» (FF 2806).

And again, with a far-sighted and comprehensive vision, Clare herself continues:

«I admonish and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ all my sisters, both present and future, that they may always strive to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility and poverty, and also the integrity of that holy life which was taught to us by our blessed Father Francis from the very beginning of our conversion to Christ» (FF 2845 – Testament).

«And loving one another in the love of Christ—that love which you have in your hearts—show it outwardly through your deeds, so that the sisters, inspired by this example, may always grow in the love of God and in mutual charity» (FF 2847 – Testament).

In the Rule, moreover:

“«The abbess should also endeavour to reconcile the sisters, should it ever happen that some of them, for whatever reason or occasion, should fall out with one another.

That sister, then, who by her words or gestures has given cause for offence or scandal to another, must immediately, before offering the gift of her prayer to God, ask forgiveness from the sister she has offended; she must humbly kneel before her and beg her to intercede for her before the Lord, that He may forgive the offence committed.

The other sister, mindful of the Lord’s words:

«If you do not forgive from the heart, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you», shall generously forgive the offence to the sister who asks for forgiveness»” (FF 3358).

Clare was, for all the sisters, a teacher of life, a mentor of true charity which always rebuilds, despite malicious actions.

«Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full» (Mt 18:26)

Thursday, 19th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 18:21–19:1)

In today's Liturgy, Jesus calls for discreet, fraternal correction before taking more drastic measures.

The two Poor Men of Assisi were exemplary people in their fraternal love and in the corrections they made, always seasoned with wisdom, humanity and charity. 

Severe with themselves; attentive and merciful with their neighbour.

Francis before acting towards the brethren prayed and even beforehand examined himself.

Clare of Assisi liked to call herself «little plant of the Seraphic Father Francis».

She was always a solicitous Mother and a great example to her daughters and sisters in the Monastery of St Damian.

Even when it was necessary to exhort or remonstrate, she knew how to correct with love and wisdom that came to her from on high.

The Sources attest [Rule of St Clare]:

«Let the abbess admonish and visit her sisters and correct them with humility and charity, not commanding them anything that is against her soul and the form of our profession» (FF 2806).

And again, with an extensive far-sighted look, Clare herself continues:

«I admonish and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ all my sisters, present and future, that they always strive to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility and poverty, and also the honesty of that holy life, which was taught to us by our blessed Father Francis from the beginning of our conversion to Christ» (FF 2845 - Testament).

«And loving one another in the love of Christ, that love which you have in your heart, show it outside with works, so that the sisters, provoked by this example, may always grow in the love of God and in mutual charity» (FF 2847 - Testament).

«If your brother commits a fault against you, go and admonish him between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you will have gained your brother» (Mt 18:15)

Wednesday 19th wk. in O.T.  (Mt 18:15-20)

Who knows how many times Francis, the Herald of the Great King, in reading the episode of the lost sheep will have dwelt on that «What do you think?» (Mt 18:12). As if to say: «Would you do it?». 

Francis will certainly have asked himself this disarming question, to which his entire eloquent existence was answered «Yes, without any doubt».

For just one sheep of his flock he would certainly have left the others safe in search of the lost one.

«Let us look closely, brethren all, at the good Shepherd who, in order to save his sheep, endured the passion of the cross» (FF 155 - Admonitions).

He, who used to call Brother Leo 'God's sheep', would have faced any adversity to find it, and for this he sought martyrdom even at the Sultan of Egypt to win it for Christ.

Rich in tenderness and mercy is an episode that highlights Francis' shepherd heart. 

We find in the Sources:

"Once crossing the March of Ancona, after preaching in the same city, and heading towards Osimo, in the company of Brother Paul, whom he had elected minister to all the brothers of that province, he met a shepherd in the countryside, who was grazing his flock of rams and goats.

In the midst of the flock was a single sheep, quietly and humbly grazing on the grass.

As soon as he saw it, Francis stopped, and as if he had had a grip on his heart, full of compassion he said to his brother:

«Do you see that lonely and meek sheep among the goats? Our Lord Jesus Christ, surrounded and hunted down by the Pharisees and Sanhedrists, must have looked just like that humble creature.

Therefore I beseech thee, my son, for love of Him, be thou also full of compassion, let us buy her and take her away from these goats and goatherds» (FF 456).

«What is it to you? Would you do it?»  (Mt 18:12)

Clara Claris Praeclara, Little Plant
Clare of Assisi loved to describe herself as ‘the little plant of the Seraphic Father Francis’.
She was always a caring Mother and a great example to her daughters and sisters in the Monastery of St Damian.
Even when it was necessary to exhort or reprimand, she knew how to correct with the love and wisdom that came from on high.
The Sources attest (Rule of St Clare):
“The abbess shall admonish and visit her sisters and correct them with humility and charity, commanding them nothing that is contrary to their soul or to the form of our profession” (FF 2806).
And again, with a far-sighted and comprehensive vision, Clare herself continues:
“I admonish and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ all my sisters, both present and future, that they may always strive to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility and poverty, and also the integrity of that holy life which was taught to us by our blessed Father Francis from the very beginning of our conversion to Christ” (FF 2845 – Testament).
“And loving one another in the love of Christ—that love which you have in your hearts—show it outwardly through your deeds, so that the sisters, inspired by this example, may grow ever more in the love of God and in mutual charity” (FF 2847 – Testament).

On the feast of St Laurence [martyred in 258, during the persecution of the emperor Valerian] the liturgy proposes a Johannine passage that befits him, concerning his journey of faith.

One of the seven deacons of Rome who died for the cause of the Gospel, he was a fruitful seed for souls, testifying that to lose one's life in this world is to keep it for eternal life.

Francis, in his new life, was truly the grain of wheat that dies to rise again with Christ and in Christ. It is not for nothing that he is often remembered as «Alter Christus» because he became, by grace, very like Him.

The Saint spent his bare existence in the service of the Lord and his neighbour, often wondering whether he had really become a servant of his Word or not.

The light that the Sources offer us is truly revealing:

"From the moment Francis rejected transient things and began to adhere closely to the Lord, he did not want to waste even a particle of time [...].

He considered it a great sin not to do something good and judged it a retrograde step not to always make progress.

While he was staying in a cell in Siena, one night he called his sleeping companions to him.

«I invoked the Lord - he explained to them - that he might deign to show me when I am his servant and when I am not.

For I would like to be no other than his servant.

And the Lord, in his immense kindness and deigning, has now answered me:

«Acknowledge thyself my servant truly, when thou thinkest, sayest, actest holy».

For this reason I have called you, brothers, because I want to blush before you if at times I have failed in these three things»" (FF 743).

In prayer, he often repeated:

«Rapture, I pray thee, O Lord,/ the burning and sweet power of thy love/ my mind from all things that are under heaven,/ that I may die for love of thy love,/ as thou hast deigned to die/ for love of my love» (FF 277).

«If the grain of wheat that falls to the ground does not die, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit» (Jn 12:24)

10 August, St Lawrence  (Jn 12:24-26)

The passage from the Gospel of Matthew, read this Sunday, describes Jesus who, after praying in seclusion, approaches his disciples in the boat at the end of the night, walking on the water.

The Poor Man of Assisi, too, sought a solitary relationship with the Father before meeting the crowds, who sought healing of body and soul, perhaps by touching his rough habit.

The crowd flocked devoutly, for they longed to ‘be’ with God.

Francis, a servant of Christ, was a simple man yet eager to ‘dwell’ with the Lord, so that he might conform himself to the Gospel and help his friars to flourish and grow in the path of unwavering faith.

For this reason, as soon as he was free, he would withdraw into solitude to pray, seeking enlightenment and a deeper commitment to the divine plan, without fear.

The Sources portray Francis as an «Alter Christus», in His image even in his solitude ‘on the Mount’ to enter into the intimacy of the Father.

Indeed, we read:

“Desiring to devote himself solely to God and to purify his spirit from the dust of the world, which might have defiled him whilst living amongst men, the blessed and venerable Father Francis one day withdrew to a place of contemplation and silence [La Verna], leaving behind the crowds who flocked devoutly to him every day to hear and see him.

He was in the habit of dividing and allocating the time granted to him for the acquisition of graces, as he saw fit: one part for the good of his neighbour, the other reserved for solitary contemplation. He therefore took with him a very small number of companions, among the closest and most involved in his life, so that they might shield him from visits and the disturbance of others and serve as loving and faithful guardians of his peace.

He remained in that solitude for a certain period, and having attained, through intimate prayer and frequent contemplation, an extraordinary intimacy with God, he longed to know what about him and within him might be most pleasing to the eternal King” (FF 479).

He knew, in fact, that he would help to develop the disciples’ fearful faith only through a trusting surrender to God, who does not cause one to falter or drown in dangers.

In the face of adverse winds, the stability of the existential ‘boat’ in God’s hands brings salvation and leads to the profession of faith that recognises the Son of God without hesitation.

«And having sent the crowds behind, he went up the mountain by himself to pray» (Mt 14:23)

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A  (Mt 14:22–33)

Jesus heals a boy suffering from epilepsy. To the disciples, who asked why they had been unable to drive out the demon, he replies: «Because of your little faith» (Mt 17:20).

Faith as small as a mustard seed would be enough to witness extraordinary things.

The Poor Man of Assisi knew, from direct experience, that demons fear prayer offered with faith and humility. They know, in fact, that such prayer rises above the clouds and is pleasing to God, deepening our trusting surrender to Him.

The Franciscan Sources are a wellspring of experience and spiritual riches.

In them we read:

‘There they were constantly intent on praying to God, devoting themselves to the practice of prayer and devotion more with their minds than with their voices, for they did not yet have the liturgical books […]

But, in place of those books, they read unceasingly, leafing through and re-leafing through the book of the Cross of Christ, day and night, instructed by the example and the word of the Father, who continually spoke to them of the Cross of Christ” (FF 1067).

It is clear that upon this rock-solid foundation a great faith was rooted, which made possible healings of every kind and deliverances from demons, because they were nourished by such abundant Grace.

The Lord acted through Francis and his friars, performing marvellous deeds:

“In the village of Sangemini, the servant of God was given hospitality by a devout man, whose wife was tormented by the devil. After praying, he commanded, by virtue of obedience, the devil to leave the woman and, with the help of divine power, forced him to flee immediately: a clear demonstration that the obstinacy of demons cannot withstand the virtue of holy obedience […]” (FF 1219).

Since Francis knew that everything is possible for those who believe, he ceaselessly repeated to his brothers and in his writings:

«All the small and the great […] and all people in every part of the earth, both those who are and those who will be, we, the Friars Minor, unworthy servants, humbly pray and beseech that we may persevere in the true faith and in penance, for no one can be saved in any other way» (FF 68).

«Let us all love with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, with all our capacity and strength, with all our understanding, with all our might […] the Lord God […] who has created us, redeemed us and will save us through his mercy alone» (FF 69).

The Poverello often prayed thus before the Crucifix:

«Most High and glorious God,

enlighten the darkness of my heart.

And grant me true faith,

certain hope and perfect charity,

wisdom and knowledge,

Lord,

that I may fulfil your holy and true commandment.

Amen»

(FF 276).

«If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you»  (Mt 17:20)

Saturday, 18th wk. in Ordinary Time  (Mt 17:14–20)